I have had a crazy week. I’m realizing that it’s been about a month since the beginning of this semester—meaning that all my midterms are this upcoming week.  Strug Life.[1] It’s been a week since I have been cleared for Rugby so I can now practice (woot!).

There are so many aspects of Bryn Mawr that I take for granted. I was reminded of this several times this week, one instance during a Mujeres exec board meeting on Wednesday. As I was sitting there (it took me a good fifteen minutes to find the room—I never knew there was a common room in Merion basement…I didn’t even know Merion had a basement…) and laughing and planning with the board I realized how privileged I am to have and contribute to sources such as Mujeres. It was difficult for me back home, being part of one of the only Hispanic families in my town (and probably the only first generation American) and not having other people to relate to. After elementary school I became increasingly ashamed of identifying as Latina—after several encounters with prejudice and racism, and having the inability to speak out about them. In high school despite my shame, I took the initiative to start educating my peers about my culture (I ran a little annual shindig, an African-American/Latino Festival)—and while some of my classmates were really excited about it (they would come after the performances would come and talk to me regarding their experiences), others considered it a big joke. I had little support, and even some of the faculty criticized the effort.

I didn’t know coming to Bryn Mawr that I would have a complete turn around in the way I experienced and related with other Latinas. Mujeres is a setting where I can express my opinions (without qualms!) and just be who and what I am and learn about the other women in the group (you don’t have to identify as Latina to be in the group!).

Exect board members holding tight!

From left to right: Amanda (ME!), Sharaai, and Jancy.

Maybe I’m just overly psyched about this month (we are planning a ton of events for Latin Heritage Month!!!!).  And our frosh are so enthusiastic and wonderful and bright! Gives me shivers. It also gives me something to look forward to every week—it’s a constructive source of procrastination.

I am so privileged on this campus where I always something to fall back on. Not just regarding my identity. Seriously, if I’m struggling in my classes, tutors are readily available; professors are super flexible and will arrange an appointment outside of office hours. If I want to change something on campus or discuss a point of controversy, we have Plenary[2] every semester. If I need to talk to someone, there’s counseling and friends.  I think that all of this makes Bryn Mawr a very special community where we all have a say in what goes on. This is place where we learn how to make a system work for us.